Cultivation begins in Qingfeng Market.

Grandfather coughed lightly, drawing everyone's attention back.

The suspended light curtain rippled like water, splitting into seventeen points of light, each with a different spiritual glow, which quietly rotated within the cave.

"Now that we've covered the three major sects, let's move on to the seventeen markets."

With a flick of his sleeve, the grandfather caused the light spots to automatically divide into two rows, "The market is divided into seven upper wards and ten lower wards."

He pointed to the seven exceptionally bright spots at the very top:

"Among the seven markets, three were opened by the three major sects outside their respective mountain gates: Baicao Market, Heisha Market, and Qianhuang Market."

They have powerful sects backing them, strong backgrounds, and abundant resources; naturally, there's no need to elaborate.

"The other four,"

Grandfather's tone became more serious.

"These are Tiger Roar Market, Ghost Cry Market, Everlasting Market, and Heavenly Cloud Market."

On the light screen, a golden spot suddenly magnified, faintly emitting a deafening tiger's roar.

"Tiger Roars in the Marketplace,"

Grandfather's voice carried a hint of respect, "Lin Xuan, you went there with the Liuyun Chamber of Commerce before, so you should know how prosperous it is. Its strength is much greater than that of Qingfeng Market."

Its most important pillar is the sect leader, "Tiger Roar Master." A phantom figure appeared in the light, his posture as upright as a pine tree, golden light flowing around him, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

"This person is known as the number one Foundation Establishment cultivator, having reached the peak of Foundation Establishment and even attempted to form the Core!"

Grandfather's words made everyone gasp: "Although it was unsuccessful, he survived and his strength has improved considerably."

The path of cultivation leads to the attainment of great power within oneself. He alone single-handedly propelled Tiger Roar Market from the lower ten markets to the upper seven!

The light screen changed again, and a constantly moving point of light emanating a sinister black aura caught everyone's attention.

"Demon Cry Market,"

Grandfather's voice lowered, "This is the stronghold of the Raider Cultivators! Other markets do not welcome Raider Cultivators, but this place welcomes all. It is a truly ominous place."

It is also the only one of the seventeen markets that has no fixed location and can move freely. Legend has it that its true form is a mobile, third-tier magical artifact.

Zhao Ziming couldn't help but interject, "A market formed by cultivators who have undergone calamity? Can the three major sects tolerate its existence?"

Grandfather did not answer directly, but looked at Lin Zhao, who was deep in thought: "Zhao'er, what do you think?"

Lin Zhao's gaze was fixed on the moving black dot. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "If I'm not mistaken, this Ghost Cry Market is probably a black glove of the three major sects."

"Oh?" Approval flashed in the grandfather's eyes.

Lin Zhao analyzed clearly: "Since Ghost Cry Market can be called a market, it must be able to accommodate quite a few people."

If it were truly a mobile magic weapon, its value would likely surpass that of several magic weapons combined. I don't believe that the Core Formation cultivators of the three major sects would remain unmoved.

The only explanation for its existence for so many years is that the Ghost Cry Market was secretly controlled or tacitly approved by the three major sects.

The three major sects needed other markets to defend against the demonic beasts, and since there were some matters they couldn't handle personally, they could entrust the Ghost Cry Market to do it for them.

Grandfather nodded: "That's right. Ghost Cry Market is the black glove of the three major sects; it's practically an open secret in the market."

Rumors suggest that disciples from even the three major sects are involved.

Over the past thousand years, the Ghost Cry Market has plundered and destroyed four other markets.

That's why the higher-ups in Qingfeng City didn't want to get themselves into trouble and could only watch helplessly as Liu Yifeng was rescued.

He has most likely joined the Oni-Kuwashi district now.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ziming's face showed a mixture of realization and indignation. He sighed, "I never imagined that the relationships between the markets and neighborhoods could be so complex and treacherous."

"Wanheng Market,"

Grandfather pointed to a point of light surrounded by numerous phantom images of demonic beasts, "The people of this market are quite mysterious and arrogant, yet their tempers are unpredictable."

But they have a unique skill – controlling demonic beasts!

Because of the mysterious black evil spirit ore radiation deep within the Yunxia Mountains, the monsters are generally fierce and easily angered, making them extremely difficult to tame.

Ordinary cultivators are simply unable to control wild demonic beasts and usually need to raise them from cubs, which is extremely costly.

However, Wanheng Market has a secret method that allows it to directly capture and tame adult demon beasts, making them extremely powerful.

Even the three major sects sometimes have to humble themselves and consult them when faced with difficult monster problems.

Finally, the grandfather pointed to a seemingly simple, yet firmly centered, milky-white spot of light:

"Tianyun Market, the premier of the seventeen markets, ranked number one."

Lin Zhao and Lin Xuan were waiting for what would happen next, but found that their grandfather had already stopped talking.

The two stared at each other in surprise, and Lin Zhao couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa, is that all?"

"That's right."

Grandfather said solemnly, "Seventeen Markets, if you ask anyone what they think of Tianyun Market, they will all give you this same answer."

Lin Zhao's mind raced: "Is there any gossip that's best left unsaid?"

The grandfather revealed a look of "this child is teachable" and lowered his voice: "Tianyun Market is very mysterious and its strength is unfathomable. It is also the only one that dares not give face to the three major sects."

Legend has it that if any disciple or even an elder from one of the three major sects commits a serious crime and falls into the hands of Tianyun Market, they dare to kill them on sight!

Given conclusive evidence, the three major sects often tacitly accepted the verdict afterward.

He paused, then added, "The one that Ghost Cry Market least wants to confront is Heavenly Cloud Market, because Heavenly Cloud Market doesn't care about Ghost Cry Market's so-called background and will kill without hesitation."

Other markets, out of consideration for the reputation of the three major sects, usually keep this a closely guarded secret. If asked, they would only say, "Tianyun Market is ranked number one."

A glint flashed in Lin Zhao's eyes, and he suddenly asked, "Grandpa, could it be that Tianyun Market is not a local force of the Yunxia Mountains, but rather comes from an outer region?"

He had read extensively since childhood and knew that the world of cultivation was vast and boundless, and the Yunxia Mountains were just a small part of it.

Legend has it that in the endless, distant south, there exists an even larger kingdom of cultivation.

There exist legendary Nascent Soul cultivators! Every few years, caravans from other realms cross the border aboard spirit ships to arrive.

Three years ago, a second-tier spirit-level flying boat came to Qingfeng Market. The fact that Yun Market didn't give face to the three major sects that day could only mean that it was a legendary Nascent Soul force.

The grandfather's eyes showed even more admiration, and he nodded, saying, "The higher-ups in the market do indeed have such a guess, and the possibility is extremely high!"

Only a force with a Nascent Soul cultivator in charge would dare to show such disrespect to the three major sects.

However, this area was within the sphere of influence of the three major sects, so no one dared to make any rash comments.

Furthermore, the three major sects have always disliked others mentioning this matter, so ranking first in Yunfang Market is the best answer.

This way, they neither offended the three major sects nor failed to give Tianyun Market the respect and face it deserved.

The cave was silent for a moment, with only the moonstone emitting a soft glow.

What we have heard today is like a magnificent and turbulent scroll unfolding before us, yet also concealing countless dangers.